This assignment will discuss how efficiency and fairness is maintained in the single market through the European Union Competition Policy. It will begin with a brief explanation about the EU and how it was created, discuss and critically analyse the role of the European Competition Commission. Conclusions will be drawn by providing case study examples and perspectives from several academic authors.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The European Union
- The European Competition Commission
- Anti-Trust
- Mergers
- Liberalisation and State Aid
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This assignment explores the European Union Competition Policy and its role in maintaining efficiency and fairness within the Single Market. It examines the policy's implementation through specific examples and case studies.
- The European Union Competition Policy
- Ensuring fairness for consumers and businesses in the Single Market
- Promoting efficiency and innovation
- Maintaining competition and preventing monopolies
- The impact of competition policy on consumer welfare
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first section provides a brief overview of the European Union's history, its formation, and the evolution of the Single Market. It introduces the European Competition Commission (ECC) and its role in regulating competition within the EU.
The second section delves into the ECC's various policies, including Anti-Trust, Mergers, Liberalisation, and State Aid, highlighting their importance in maintaining a level playing field and fostering economic growth.
The third section examines specific cases of monopolies and abuse of dominant positions, such as the German company DB (Deutsche Bahn) and the Portuguese bus company TST (Transportes Sul do Tejo), providing real-world examples of the challenges posed by these practices.
The fourth section discusses the impact of anti-competitive practices, such as cartels, and the role of the ECC in addressing them. It also examines the evolution of the EU's competition law and policy, highlighting the increased role of National Competition Authorities (NCAs) and the rise of private enforcement.
The fifth section focuses on the EU merger control mechanism, exploring its development and the use of the Williamson's 'efficiency defense' model. It presents examples of merger cases, including the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the acquisition of Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International by the Austrian Ministry of Finance.
The final section provides a comprehensive overview of the State Aid policy, outlining its purpose and the role of the ECC in balancing the needs of member states with the requirements of a fair and competitive market.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key keywords and focus topics of the text include European Union Competition Policy, Single Market, Anti-Trust, Mergers, Liberalisation, State Aid, monopolies, oligopolies, abuse of dominant position, cartels, consumer welfare, efficiency, fairness, and economic growth. These concepts are discussed within the context of the EU's efforts to maintain a competitive and fair market for both businesses and consumers.
- Quote paper
- Wilhelm Osterdahl (Author), 2016, The European Union Competition Policy. Maintaining Efficiency and Fairness in the Single Market, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1446096
